Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(197): "Economic Security is an Objectives of Sharia that can be Achieved through Justice and Reform"

Date Added : 26-11-2015

Resolution No.(197)(6/2014) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Economic Security is an Objectives of Sharia that can be Achieved through Justice and Reform"

Date: 23/Rabi` Al-thani/1435 AH, corresponding to 23/2/2014.

 

All perfect praise is due to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions:

On the above given date, the Board reviewed the question sent by one of the MPs concerning the negative effects of tax evasion and theft of public funds on the security of the national economy. He requested clarifying the ruling of Sharia on tax evasion?

After researching and deliberating, the Board decided what follows:

The security of the national economy as well as the protection of public funds are a trust that should be restored by every citizen, as Enjoined by Almighty Allah in the following verse whereas, He Says (what means): "Verily, God commands you to restore trusts. And when you judge between people, that you judge with justice. Excellent is the admonition God gives you. God is ever Hearer, Seer." {An`nisa`/58}. Moreover, it is a collective responsibility as indicated by the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) who said: "All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects, the man is a guardian of his family, the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband's house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects." {Agreed upon}.

The first guardian is the ruler and those in charge of  running people`s livelihoods and affairs. It is their duty to act as deputies of the people in fulfilling the injunctions of Allah through the proper management of resources, realizing justice of opportunity and distribution, cutting down expenses, fighting corruption, adherence to preserving the principles of Sharia in the national economy, and allowing the people to take an actual part in that process. This task can be realized through MPs who believe in a true mission that celebrates the values of Islam and observes the interests of the people. They should also monitor the financial performance of the executive authority in order to help end tax evasion and make the tax payer enjoy the satisfaction of supporting his nation and country.

Moreover, the wealthy shoulder a similar responsibility towards public funds and tax because they are key for the development of the economy. Therefore, it is impermissible that a member of this class abstains from paying taxes because others don`t; rather, he should adhere to the injunctions of Allah, Who Says (What means): "O you who believe, fear God and be with those who are truthful." {At-Tawbah/119}.

The Iftaa` Board recommends promulgating a law pertaining to giving Zakah and collecting that which is due to the poor from the rich, because it has a great effect in achieving social solidarity. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.

Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Prof. Ahmad Hilayel

Prof. Hayel Abdulhafeez/ Member

Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Prof. Mohammad Al-Qudat/ Member

Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Dr.Wasif Al-Bak`kri/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-eesa/Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the Islamic ruling on the aqiqa?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The 'aqīqah is a confirmed Sunnah (sunnah mu'akkadah). Two sheep are to be slaughtered for a newborn boy, and one sheep for a newborn girl. This is established by numerous Prophetic traditions, among them:
The narration of Samurah ibn Jundub, may Allah be pleased with him, who reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Every child is held in pledge for his 'aqīqah, which is slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, and he is named, and his head is shaved." — Narrated by al-Tirmidhī, who graded it as ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ.
And the narration of 'Ā'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us to slaughter one sheep as 'aqīqah for a girl, and two sheep for a boy." — Narrated by Aḥmad and Ibn Mājah.
The imperative in these narrations is understood to denote recommendation rather than obligation, based on the ḥadīth of 'Amr ibn Shu'ayb, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather, who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about the 'aqīqah, whereupon he said: "Allah does not love 'uqūq" — as though he disliked the name itself — and then said: "Whoever has a child born to him and wishes to offer a sacrifice on their behalf, let them do so: two equivalent sheep for a boy, and one sheep for a girl." — Narrated by Aḥmad and Abū Dāwūd.
The legal inference drawn from this narration is that the Prophet ﷺ linked the slaughter to the wish and willingness of the individual, saying: "whoever wishes to offer a sacrifice... let them do so" — thereby indicating that the 'aqīqah is recommended (mustaḥabb) and not obligatory (wājib).
And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for a woman to uncover her face while performing Umrah (minor Hajj)?

The woman while in a state of Ihram (ritual consecration) is obligated to uncover her face and hands, but at the same time permitted to let her head-covering garment drape from her head down over her face when non-Mahram (i.e., marriageable) men pass by her. And Allah Knows Best.

Does buying meat equivalent to the weight of a slaughtered animal and distributing it avail for an udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
 
That does not avail for the sacrifice (uḍḥiyyah), because the sacrifice necessarily requires slaughtering an animal from the category of anʿām (camels, cattle, and sheep/goats) within a specified time.
 
Rather, that is considered a form of charity (ṣadaqah) for which one is rewarded, but not an udhiyah. And Allah Almighty knows best.

How is the niṣāb (minimum threshold) of gold calculated when one owns gold of multiple different karats?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Zakāh is obligatory on cash and on gold designated for saving or for trade, provided the total reaches the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for Zakah), and a full ḥawl (lunar year) has elapsed over it. The niṣāb is (85) grams of 24-karat gold; for 21-karat gold, the niṣāb equals (97) grams; and for 18-karat gold, it equals (113) grams.
If one owns gold of multiple different karats, the person paying zakāh should calculate the monetary value of all the gold he owns, combining these values together to determine whether the total reaches the niṣāb. He then pays zakāh on this combined monetary value, once the total reaches the niṣāb. The relied-upon position is to calculate the zakāh based on the buying price [i.e., the price the gold merchant would pay the owner to purchase the gold from him] on the day the zakāh obligation is due. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.